Groups against "Stop and Frisk" possibility in Detroit

DETROIT, MI (AP)-- Several civil rights groups have united in opposition to any plans by Detroit police to indiscriminately stop and frisk people as the city tries to lower its high crime rate.

The Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, American Civil Liberties Union, Council on American-Islamic Relations and others say Thursday that such plans would mirror the New York Police Department's stop and frisk policy.

A federal judge ruled last month that aspects of that policy were unconstitutional and that large numbers of blacks and Hispanics were illegally singled out for frisks.

The groups say consultants for Detroit police have proposed using traffic stops to prevent street crime.

Detroit Chief James Craig told The Associated Press that "if there is no reason to stop someone, then they are not going to be stopped."